COMPANY FOCUS
Small, but
perfectly formed V
erco was founded by Michael Fogden in June 1965. “Prior to that he had been servicing fridges,” says managing director Justin Fogden, “mainly industrial or commercial. He used to import an American freezer cabinet, and thought ‘we can build this ourselves’.” The cabinet company was formed in a building about 100 yards from where the company is currently based in Wallingford. “That was initially just one unit,” continues Mr Fogden, “and then it grew to two, three and so on, and built a reputation for quality refrigerated glass door and open chill cabinets. In 1992 we bought this place, which is 45,000sqft, and we’ve been here ever since.”
Mike Nicholls with the Quebec.
Having survived a fourth recession now how is Verco faring? “Although we are the largest manufacturer of glass door cabinets in the UK, our sector of the market is not very big – we don’t need many customers to be buying from us to be quite busy. On the other hand, if they go quiet, then so do we – business can be quite cyclical. A lot of people are feeling the pinch, but thankfully we weren’t hit too much by the major supermarkets. Sooner or later the supermarkets
After over half a century in business, family-run refrigeration cabinet manufacturer Verco has kept its family values and community focus.
have got to start spending again. It’s not going to be in the big superstores, but that’s not our market – we’re in the local versions and convenience stores. That’s a sector that must be reaching saturation point, so its refi tting, changes to attract customer, and energy saving that will be the key triggers to buy.”
Energy saving, as in most sectors, has an element of contention and with cabinets that tends to be the question of doors. “In terms of energy saving of course cabinets should have doors on,” says Mr Fogden, “But it’s the retailers that buy the cabinets, and we have to be there to service their need to appeal to their customers.”
“Energy saving is the biggest driver for us,” says development director Mike Nicholls, “along with improvements in glass door design that reduce the amount of frost that builds up on the products within. Passive doors save a huge amount of energy.
“Freezer doors normally have heaters all over them in the frame and even the glass is heated to prevent misting. A passive door solution reduces the amount of heat enormously
Hydratech 24 August 2016
Cooling Solutions ifinfo@hyd atech.c
Co info@hydr s for Every Applic Applic
.co.uk k tel: 01792 586800: 01792 586800
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